Yuna
Singer-songwriter Yuna astounds me – her voice, her instrumentation, her impeccable sense of harmony that straddles the unexpected and the feeling of coming along completely naturally. Born and raised in Malaysia, she first gained recognition in 2008 with the release of her self-titled EP. The single “Deeper Conversation” went on to win “Best English Song” at the 2009 AIM awards – Malaysia’s equivalent of the Grammys. She also won “Best Pop Song” and “Song of the Year” for “Dan Severnarya,” sung in Malay. From her Soundcloud bio:
Growing up in a Muslim household in Malaysia, Yuna was first inspired by the universal appeal of acts like No Doubt, The Cranberries, and Fiona Apple. At the age of 19, while in law school, she picked up a guitar and began to fervently write. She joined various art groups and recognized her love and natural talents for sketching, photography, web design and graphic design. Today, further attesting to her creative ability, Yuna is part owner of the clothing shop I Am Jet Fuel, a successful couture boutique in Malaysia.
I’d characterize her music as a hybrid of Joni Mitchell and Imogen Heap: her orchestration and understanding of harmony is advanced and unpredictable, and balances experimentation and the unexpected with the feeling that you are, assuredly, in good hands. More simply, her music channels a deep sense of beauty and longing that only the best, most lasting songwriters are able to achieve.
The following songs are just a selection of what I’m sure will be an inspiring and powerful career. Support her music on iTunes, or, better, yet, catch her in concert. My favorite tunes are “Someone Out Of Town” and her bold, inventive cover of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.”
Oh, and a bonus to anyone who can find an mp3 of “Dan Severnarya.”
Someone Out of Town by Yuna Music
Deeper Conversation by Yuna Music
Fears and Frustrations by Yuna Music
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Thanks to Music For Kids Who Can’t Read Good for alerting me to this fantastic artist.
